Atkins School Board approves 1:1 InitiativeThe Atkins School Board approved the plan to put in place the 1:1 Initiative program into the Atkins school district in its latest board meeting on June 25. Along with the plan to initiate the program, the board also approved the plan to insert access points around the school, allowing internet access to the 1:1 Initiative program’s laptops and software. As part of the program, the Atkins Schools will enter into an agreement with CDWG, a techn...

Arkansas Tech student baking her way through collegeArkansas Tech University student Leah Newton is paying her way through college one loaf of bread at a time. One Nerd Bakery is a business that Newton, 17, has built over the past year by selling her baked goods at farmer’s markets and other events in downtown Russellville. “I use local products when I can,” said Newton, who grows many of her ingredients in her own garden. “Many of them are gluten free and vegan. Downtown is so important to me....

New Danville superintendent begins job MondayDANVILLE — The Danville School Board hired Gregg Grant as the district's new superintendent it's June 17 meeting “In the last three weeks, [I had] an opportunity to apply and visit with the board,” Grant said. “I feel real fortunate the way that things have transpired.” Danville’s former superintendent, Mike Hernazdez, accepted a job with the State Department of Education. Grant said he was happy for the opportunity to return to Danville. “It’...

New president for Ark. science and tech authority LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Science and Technology Authority is getting a new president. Gov. Mike Beebe on Friday named Tim Atkinson of North Little Rock to lead the agency. The authority’s mission is to advance innovation in science, technology and business in Arkansas. Atkinson, 45, most recently served as assistant provost and director for sponsored programs at the University of Central Arkansas. Before that, he directed research progr...

City schools receive summer maintenanceEvery summer, Russellville School District work crews perform routine maintenance. Waxing floors and sanitizing equipment are all things that need to be done to get the buildings ready for the new school year. This summer, RSD is taking on some bigger maintenance tasks. At Crawford Elementary School, removing landscape timbers and replacing them with a concrete retaining wall is on the agenda. At Dwight Elementary School, projects include repa...

Senators: Student loan interest rates to double WASHINGTON (AP) — Student loan rates will double Monday — at least for a while — after a compromise to keep student loan interest rates low proved unwinnable before the July 1 deadline, senators said Thursday. Sen. Tom Harkin, the chairman of the Senate education panel, said none of the proposals being circulating among lawmakers could win passage, and he urged lawmakers to extend the current rates for another year when they return from the Ju...

High school seniors fare no better than in 1970s WASHINGTON (AP) — Students preparing to leave high school are faring no better in reading or math than their peers four decades ago, the government said Thursday. Officials attributed the bleak finding on more lower-performing students staying in school rather than dropping out. The news was brighter for younger students and for blacks and Hispanics, who had the greatest gain in reading and math scores since the 1970s, according to the Nationa...

Goodbye M&M’s, hello granola bars as school snacks WASHINGTON (AP) — Kids, your days of blowing off those healthier school lunches and filling up on cookies from the vending machine are numbered. The government is onto you. For the first time, the Agriculture Department is telling schools what sorts of snacks they can sell. The new restrictions announced Thursday fill a gap in nutrition rules that allowed many students to load up on fat, sugar and salt despite the existing guidelines for healt...

Students learn diet, mannersWhy is a balanced diet important? Why is it important to have good table manners? These are just two of the questions being learned by 150 students who are participating in a nutrition unit of summer school at Oakland Heights Elementary School. “During the first part of the week they learn about table manners,” Krystal Shipp, summer school facilitator, said. “Then, during the second part of the week, they learn why it’s important to have a bal...

1:1 Initiative integration program to launch at Russellville High SchoolWith the modern array of technology swarming around in everyday life, the constant rate of information exchange can be distracting and sometimes overwhelming. This can be especially true in regards to education. However, if information technology is harnessed and put to use as an educational tool in a school, benefits may result. Many schools around the nation have begun to interweave this style of teaching and learning into their districts. K...

Whiteside checking off ‘bucket list’ Arkansas Tech University Graduate College student John Whiteside has a piece of advice for anyone, regardless of age, who is thinking about continuing his or her education. “Don’t question yourself; jump in and do it,” Whiteside said. “The biggest thing that I have found, particularly with the professors in the Department of College Student Personnel, they will bend over backwards to help you as a non-traditional student. They want you to be s...

Auxiliary sends PHS delegates to Girls StatePOTTSVILLE — The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 20 sends delegates to Girls State each year. The following young women from Pottsville High School were chosen by their instructors and school administration for their outstanding leadership abilities and their interest in their community and government issues. Courtney Dotson’s high school accomplishments include serving as a Pottsville High School Ambassador and FCCLA chapter officer. She is a ...

Dover school district to build new facilitiesDOVER — The Dover School District has proposed a few new education facilities that will include 28 new classrooms, 10 newly renovated classrooms, a state-of-the-art library to be equipped with the latest technology, a physical education facility and a multi-purpose center. The center will be an indoor athletics facility that will be used by multiple sports in the district. The district has received a $4.5 million grant from the state for this ...

Graduates heading off to Air Force AcademyPOTTSVILLE — Two young men, both graduates of Pottsville High School, have achieved their childhood dreams. Garrett Rhynes and Sean Ellison have been accepted into the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The pair went through a rigorous process in order to receive consideration for acceptance into the academy — massive loads of paperwork, in-depth examinations and detailed interviews with one or more Arkansas congressmen...

Partnership grows between Walton Family Foundation, Arkansas Tech UniversityWhat began six years ago with a grant to fund a continuing education opportunity for school district superintendents in Arkansas has grown to become a dynamic partnership between the Walton Family Foundation and Arkansas Tech University that is changing K-12 education in the state. The program founded by the initial grant in 2007 has developed into the Arkansas Center for Executive Leadership Leader to Leader (L2L) program, which now offers bo...

SAU latest to opt out of guns on campus MAGNOLIA (AP) — The Southern Arkansas University Board of Trustees has voted to prohibit concealed weapons on campus. The board voted Thursday to accept the recommendations of the faculty senate, staff senate and administration to opt out of a state law passed this year that allows faculty and staff members who have concealed-carry permits to bring their weapons on campus. Approximately 15 colleges in the state have now opted out of the law — ...

Atkins names Gotcher as superintendent ATKINS — Mark Gotcher, currently principal at Russellville’s Crawford Elementary, will be the new superintendent for the Atkins School District effective July 1. Gotcher has been principal at Crawford for six years. Prior to that, he spent two years as assistant principal at Russellville Junior High School and four years as assistant principal at Russellville Middle School. He has also taught music during his total of 19 years at the Russellvi...

Arkansas Tech adds to property inventoryThe Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees approved the acquisition of the property at 901 N. Denver Ave. in Russellville during its regular meeting Thursday at the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center. The property, which consists of two lots, one 2,668-square foot home and two guest houses, will be purchased by ATU for $85,000. Appraised value of the property is $130,000. Arkansas Tech already owns the adjacent property to the ...

School board hears from London parentsParents of students attending London Elementary School are concerned about school meal food portions and the size of some classes. The Russellville School Board heard a number of concerns from parents of students who attend the elementary school at its monthly meeting Tuesday night. Riley Keele, spokesperson for the London Elementary School parents, explained one of the concerns regarded London elementary’s satellite food service program. Acco...